When you're traveling to Thailand, you can convert money either before you leave home or when you get to Thailand. Planning your dollar to Thai baht conversion early will give you more options and help you plan the best exchange rate. As with any travel, carrying large amounts of cash can be unwise, as it can't be replaced when lost or stolen, so consider bringing a credit card for some purchases.

Watching Exchange Rates

The exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and Thai baht refers to how one dollar compares to one baht. For instance, one dollar might be worth 30 baht. The rate at which these two currencies compare can change on a day-to-day basis, so you can often get a better deal on your exchange if you monitor exchange rates for at least several days.

Exchanging Before You Leave

If you want to get some Thai baht before you depart the U.S., call a major bank and inquire about purchasing foreign currency. Many banks only offer this service to existing customers, so try working with your own bank first. Keep in mind that banks may not have all foreign currency on hand, so plan on giving them a few weeks to order your baht currency.

Exchanging Abroad

Once you're in Thailand, the easiest way to get baht is via an ATM. If you have a debit card or a credit card with a PIN, just withdraw cash from an ATM and your bank will make the conversion and deduct the correct amount of U.S. dollars from your account. You can also exchange hard cash at a currency exchange desk at a major airport and possibly at a major bank.

Fees

Different methods of exchange carry varying levels of fees. If you exchange cash at a bank or via an ATM, you will have to pay some conversion fees, but less than if you visit an exchange desk. Currency exchange desks tend to charge the highest fees, often a percentage of the money that you convert.

References

Resources

About the Author

Lara Webster has been writing professionally since 2009. Her work has been featured on Relationships in the Raw, The Nursery Book, Spark Trust and several travel-related websites. Webster holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and a Master of Arts in mass communication and media studies, both from San Diego State University.

Leaf Group is a USA TODAY content partner providing general travel information. Its content is produced independently of USA TODAY.

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